Anita Jean Brownlee, 86 passed away Saturday, January 18, 2020 in Sterling, CO. Viewing will be held from 9 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 405 S. Albany Street, Yuma, CO. A private family burial will be held at Hope Cemetery at a later date.
Anita Jean Mekelburg Brownlee was born to Elmer and Ople (Kerst) Mekelburg on July 2, 1933 in Washington County, the eldest of six children. Anita attended Washington County schools, graduating from Lone Star School in 1951. After graduation she attended the University of Denver for a year until called back home to help with the family during her mother’s illness. She eventually went on to complete schooling in Minneapolis, Minnesota to become a medical technologist.
Anita worked as a med tech at hospitals in Greeley and Sterling. During this time she met the love of her life, Alden Wesley Brownlee of Wray, Colorado. They were married at Burdett Presbyterian Church on March 18, 1960. Alden was enlisted in the US Navy at the time, and they made their first home together in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their first two children, William Eric and Alana De, were born there. A new set of orders moved them to Columbia, Missouri where their third child, Danel Jo, was born.
Alden’s Naval career also took them to San Diego, CA; Nashville, TN; and Norfolk, VA; before retirement brought them back to northeastern Colorado. Throughout the years and different addresses, Anita dedicated herself to her family. She served in different volunteer capacities in schools and communities. Anita saw an opportunity to serve the Lone Star community and became a bus driver of the school. She drove thousands and thousands of miles on her routes and extracurricular activities during her thirty-three years of service to Lone Star.
In 1984 Anita and Alden moved to Ault, CO, and Anita drove a school bus for Eaton public schools for a short time before becoming a city bus driver in Greeley. After a subsequent move to Platteville, CO, Anita and Alden moved to Gardner, MT, to operate a small hotel on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. The traveling bug continued to bite, and they moved to Alaska for a summer to work at a campground and restaurant near Denali National Park. Following this trip, they decided to “retire” and moved back to the Lone Star community where Anita was once again needed to care for her family; this time as caregiver for her father. She continued to work as a county express driver and substitute bus driver for Lone Star.
Throughout her entire life, Anita loved and nurtured her family. She always made herself available to support her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their many activities and sporting events. As the doting aunt to many nieces and nephews, she baked Valentine cookies and mailed them out for many years. As a loving grandma and nana, Anita never turned down an opportunity to babysit her six grandchildren, Jared, Alyssa, Matthew, Megan, Natalie and Rachel. Anita possessed a true servant’s heart, making sure each family member visiting her home was well-fed and cared for.
Anita was forced to give up the role of caregiver as Alzheimer’s took over her life. She was moved to Devonshire Acres in Sterling where she spent the last 21 months of her life. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Sterling Regional MedCenter in the early morning hours of January 18, 2020.
She is survived by her children, Eric (Linda) Brownlee of Pasadena, MD; Alana (Mike) Harty of Otis, CO; and Danel (Brian) Lins of Woodstock, GA; special daughter Vicki Frick; grandchildren Jared (Renee) Harty, Alyssa (Alen) Sporing, Matthew (Kathy) Harty, Megan Lins, Natalie (Greg) Bell, and Rachel Lins; great-grandchildren Vanessa, Michael, Jadyn, Aubrey, Coy, and Damon; brothers and sisters Bob Mekelburg, Bill (Jeanie) Mekelburg, Dolores (Chris) Stevens, Trudy (Larry) Higgins, Berna De (David) Scott, Dorne (Anita) Brownlee, Joyce (Leo) Carson, beloved Aunt Doris Imhof, beloved uncle Eddie (Agnes) Hisam, and many, many dearly loved nieces and nephews.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Alden, and sisters-in-law, Kathy Mekelburg and Janet Walker.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.--Chaney-Reager Funeral Home
Anita Jean Mekelburg Brownlee was born to Elmer and Ople (Kerst) Mekelburg on July 2, 1933 in Washington County, the eldest of six children. Anita attended Washington County schools, graduating from Lone Star School in 1951. After graduation she attended the University of Denver for a year until called back home to help with the family during her mother’s illness. She eventually went on to complete schooling in Minneapolis, Minnesota to become a medical technologist.
Anita worked as a med tech at hospitals in Greeley and Sterling. During this time she met the love of her life, Alden Wesley Brownlee of Wray, Colorado. They were married at Burdett Presbyterian Church on March 18, 1960. Alden was enlisted in the US Navy at the time, and they made their first home together in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their first two children, William Eric and Alana De, were born there. A new set of orders moved them to Columbia, Missouri where their third child, Danel Jo, was born.
Alden’s Naval career also took them to San Diego, CA; Nashville, TN; and Norfolk, VA; before retirement brought them back to northeastern Colorado. Throughout the years and different addresses, Anita dedicated herself to her family. She served in different volunteer capacities in schools and communities. Anita saw an opportunity to serve the Lone Star community and became a bus driver of the school. She drove thousands and thousands of miles on her routes and extracurricular activities during her thirty-three years of service to Lone Star.
In 1984 Anita and Alden moved to Ault, CO, and Anita drove a school bus for Eaton public schools for a short time before becoming a city bus driver in Greeley. After a subsequent move to Platteville, CO, Anita and Alden moved to Gardner, MT, to operate a small hotel on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. The traveling bug continued to bite, and they moved to Alaska for a summer to work at a campground and restaurant near Denali National Park. Following this trip, they decided to “retire” and moved back to the Lone Star community where Anita was once again needed to care for her family; this time as caregiver for her father. She continued to work as a county express driver and substitute bus driver for Lone Star.
Throughout her entire life, Anita loved and nurtured her family. She always made herself available to support her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their many activities and sporting events. As the doting aunt to many nieces and nephews, she baked Valentine cookies and mailed them out for many years. As a loving grandma and nana, Anita never turned down an opportunity to babysit her six grandchildren, Jared, Alyssa, Matthew, Megan, Natalie and Rachel. Anita possessed a true servant’s heart, making sure each family member visiting her home was well-fed and cared for.
Anita was forced to give up the role of caregiver as Alzheimer’s took over her life. She was moved to Devonshire Acres in Sterling where she spent the last 21 months of her life. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Sterling Regional MedCenter in the early morning hours of January 18, 2020.
She is survived by her children, Eric (Linda) Brownlee of Pasadena, MD; Alana (Mike) Harty of Otis, CO; and Danel (Brian) Lins of Woodstock, GA; special daughter Vicki Frick; grandchildren Jared (Renee) Harty, Alyssa (Alen) Sporing, Matthew (Kathy) Harty, Megan Lins, Natalie (Greg) Bell, and Rachel Lins; great-grandchildren Vanessa, Michael, Jadyn, Aubrey, Coy, and Damon; brothers and sisters Bob Mekelburg, Bill (Jeanie) Mekelburg, Dolores (Chris) Stevens, Trudy (Larry) Higgins, Berna De (David) Scott, Dorne (Anita) Brownlee, Joyce (Leo) Carson, beloved Aunt Doris Imhof, beloved uncle Eddie (Agnes) Hisam, and many, many dearly loved nieces and nephews.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Alden, and sisters-in-law, Kathy Mekelburg and Janet Walker.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.--Chaney-Reager Funeral Home
Anita Jean Brownlee, 86 passed away Saturday, January 18, 2020 in Sterling, CO. Viewing will be held from 9 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 405 S. Albany Street, Yuma, CO. A private family burial will be held at Hope Cemetery at a later date.
Anita Jean Mekelburg Brownlee was born to Elmer and Ople (Kerst) Mekelburg on July 2, 1933 in Washington County, the eldest of six children. Anita attended Washington County schools, graduating from Lone Star School in 1951. After graduation she attended the University of Denver for a year until called back home to help with the family during her mother’s illness. She eventually went on to complete schooling in Minneapolis, Minnesota to become a medical technologist.
Anita worked as a med tech at hospitals in Greeley and Sterling. During this time she met the love of her life, Alden Wesley Brownlee of Wray, Colorado. They were married at Burdett Presbyterian Church on March 18, 1960. Alden was enlisted in the US Navy at the time, and they made their first home together in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their first two children, William Eric and Alana De, were born there. A new set of orders moved them to Columbia, Missouri where their third child, Danel Jo, was born.
Alden’s Naval career also took them to San Diego, CA; Nashville, TN; and Norfolk, VA; before retirement brought them back to northeastern Colorado. Throughout the years and different addresses, Anita dedicated herself to her family. She served in different volunteer capacities in schools and communities. Anita saw an opportunity to serve the Lone Star community and became a bus driver of the school. She drove thousands and thousands of miles on her routes and extracurricular activities during her thirty-three years of service to Lone Star.
In 1984 Anita and Alden moved to Ault, CO, and Anita drove a school bus for Eaton public schools for a short time before becoming a city bus driver in Greeley. After a subsequent move to Platteville, CO, Anita and Alden moved to Gardner, MT, to operate a small hotel on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. The traveling bug continued to bite, and they moved to Alaska for a summer to work at a campground and restaurant near Denali National Park. Following this trip, they decided to “retire” and moved back to the Lone Star community where Anita was once again needed to care for her family; this time as caregiver for her father. She continued to work as a county express driver and substitute bus driver for Lone Star.
Throughout her entire life, Anita loved and nurtured her family. She always made herself available to support her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their many activities and sporting events. As the doting aunt to many nieces and nephews, she baked Valentine cookies and mailed them out for many years. As a loving grandma and nana, Anita never turned down an opportunity to babysit her six grandchildren, Jared, Alyssa, Matthew, Megan, Natalie and Rachel. Anita possessed a true servant’s heart, making sure each family member visiting her home was well-fed and cared for.
Anita was forced to give up the role of caregiver as Alzheimer’s took over her life. She was moved to Devonshire Acres in Sterling where she spent the last 21 months of her life. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Sterling Regional MedCenter in the early morning hours of January 18, 2020.
She is survived by her children, Eric (Linda) Brownlee of Pasadena, MD; Alana (Mike) Harty of Otis, CO; and Danel (Brian) Lins of Woodstock, GA; special daughter Vicki Frick; grandchildren Jared (Renee) Harty, Alyssa (Alen) Sporing, Matthew (Kathy) Harty, Megan Lins, Natalie (Greg) Bell, and Rachel Lins; great-grandchildren Vanessa, Michael, Jadyn, Aubrey, Coy, and Damon; brothers and sisters Bob Mekelburg, Bill (Jeanie) Mekelburg, Dolores (Chris) Stevens, Trudy (Larry) Higgins, Berna De (David) Scott, Dorne (Anita) Brownlee, Joyce (Leo) Carson, beloved Aunt Doris Imhof, beloved uncle Eddie (Agnes) Hisam, and many, many dearly loved nieces and nephews.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Alden, and sisters-in-law, Kathy Mekelburg and Janet Walker.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.--Chaney-Reager Funeral Home
Anita Jean Mekelburg Brownlee was born to Elmer and Ople (Kerst) Mekelburg on July 2, 1933 in Washington County, the eldest of six children. Anita attended Washington County schools, graduating from Lone Star School in 1951. After graduation she attended the University of Denver for a year until called back home to help with the family during her mother’s illness. She eventually went on to complete schooling in Minneapolis, Minnesota to become a medical technologist.
Anita worked as a med tech at hospitals in Greeley and Sterling. During this time she met the love of her life, Alden Wesley Brownlee of Wray, Colorado. They were married at Burdett Presbyterian Church on March 18, 1960. Alden was enlisted in the US Navy at the time, and they made their first home together in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their first two children, William Eric and Alana De, were born there. A new set of orders moved them to Columbia, Missouri where their third child, Danel Jo, was born.
Alden’s Naval career also took them to San Diego, CA; Nashville, TN; and Norfolk, VA; before retirement brought them back to northeastern Colorado. Throughout the years and different addresses, Anita dedicated herself to her family. She served in different volunteer capacities in schools and communities. Anita saw an opportunity to serve the Lone Star community and became a bus driver of the school. She drove thousands and thousands of miles on her routes and extracurricular activities during her thirty-three years of service to Lone Star.
In 1984 Anita and Alden moved to Ault, CO, and Anita drove a school bus for Eaton public schools for a short time before becoming a city bus driver in Greeley. After a subsequent move to Platteville, CO, Anita and Alden moved to Gardner, MT, to operate a small hotel on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. The traveling bug continued to bite, and they moved to Alaska for a summer to work at a campground and restaurant near Denali National Park. Following this trip, they decided to “retire” and moved back to the Lone Star community where Anita was once again needed to care for her family; this time as caregiver for her father. She continued to work as a county express driver and substitute bus driver for Lone Star.
Throughout her entire life, Anita loved and nurtured her family. She always made herself available to support her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their many activities and sporting events. As the doting aunt to many nieces and nephews, she baked Valentine cookies and mailed them out for many years. As a loving grandma and nana, Anita never turned down an opportunity to babysit her six grandchildren, Jared, Alyssa, Matthew, Megan, Natalie and Rachel. Anita possessed a true servant’s heart, making sure each family member visiting her home was well-fed and cared for.
Anita was forced to give up the role of caregiver as Alzheimer’s took over her life. She was moved to Devonshire Acres in Sterling where she spent the last 21 months of her life. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Sterling Regional MedCenter in the early morning hours of January 18, 2020.
She is survived by her children, Eric (Linda) Brownlee of Pasadena, MD; Alana (Mike) Harty of Otis, CO; and Danel (Brian) Lins of Woodstock, GA; special daughter Vicki Frick; grandchildren Jared (Renee) Harty, Alyssa (Alen) Sporing, Matthew (Kathy) Harty, Megan Lins, Natalie (Greg) Bell, and Rachel Lins; great-grandchildren Vanessa, Michael, Jadyn, Aubrey, Coy, and Damon; brothers and sisters Bob Mekelburg, Bill (Jeanie) Mekelburg, Dolores (Chris) Stevens, Trudy (Larry) Higgins, Berna De (David) Scott, Dorne (Anita) Brownlee, Joyce (Leo) Carson, beloved Aunt Doris Imhof, beloved uncle Eddie (Agnes) Hisam, and many, many dearly loved nieces and nephews.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Alden, and sisters-in-law, Kathy Mekelburg and Janet Walker.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.--Chaney-Reager Funeral Home
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